Understanding Carcinoma Of The Colon And Rectum

The bowel is a part of the digestive system of the human body. It is divided into two portions, the large bowel and the small bowel. The large bowel consists the colon and the rectum. The cancer in the large bowel is known as a carcinoma of the colon and rectum.

The colon is responsible for the absorption of water from the faeces. The rectum is the last part of the large bowel which leads to the anus. When the colon and the rectum are affected by a cancer, it is known as a colorectal cancer or a bowel cancer. This cancer arises from the cells which line the bowels. The colorectal cancer tends to develop as a flat lesion in affected individuals. These cancers are commonly found in the right side if the colon known as the proximal. The bowel cancers generally affect the colon.

The rectum, on the other hand, is usually affected by other cancers. These cancers affect the distal colon or the areas near the rectum and the rectum itself. The rectum cancers occur at a younger age and are often suspected before the age of forty-five, in people who develop this bowel cancer. Even though a single cause has not yet been found, there are many reasons for a person to develop the carcinoma of the colon and rectum.

A person whose family members suffer this form of colorectal cancer may be at a higher risk of developing this cancer himself. A person is generally at a higher risk, if the cancer is diagnosed in a close member of the family under the age of forty-five, like a parent, a brother or a sister. One might be at an even higher level of risk if more than one member of the same family is diagnosed with a bowel cancer.

Those who are worried that they may inherit this cancer must refer to a specialist clinic. Their risk will be carefully assessed at a clinic. Screening on a regular basis, combined with a colonoscopy can also taken to check the development of any cancerous cells.

In case of a cancer of the rectum, the first symptom is rectal bleeding. However, this bleeding may be mistaken for piles or bleeding haemorrhoids. Other symptoms include the feeling that the bowel has not been emptied completely. This is accompanied by an urge to empty the bowel frequently. Weight loss and a loss in appetite are also symptoms of the cancer of the rectum. But this tends to occur on a later stage.

A person may also be at a risk of the carcinoma of the colon and rectum if he is extremely overweight, takes very little exercise or is a regular smoker. So with these facts, its best to opt for regular check ups at clinic specialists.